Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 26:14-16

"Then one of the twelve, who was called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, and said, What are ye willing to give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they weighed unto him thirty pieces of silver. And from that time he sought opportunity to deliver him [unto them.]" — Matthew 26:14-16 (ASV)

There were only twelve called apostles, and one of them was like a devil; surely we must never expect any society to be quite pure on this side of heaven. The greater profession people make of religion, the greater opportunity they have of doing mischief, if their hearts are not right with God.

Observe, that Christ's own disciple, who knew so well his doctrine and manner of his life, and was false to him, could not charge him with anything criminal, though it would have served to justify his treachery.

What did Judas want? Was he not welcome wherever his Master was? Did he not fare as Christ fared? It is not the lack, but the love of money, that is the root of all evil.

After he had made that wicked bargain, Judas had time to repent and to revoke it; but when lesser acts of dishonesty have hardened the conscience, people do without hesitation what is more shameful.